Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Oct. 30, 2024 - Earning their first-ever 3-0 sweep of a top-10 team, the North Central College women's volleyball team dominated No. 9 Millikin University on Wednesday night inside Gregory Arena. The Cardinal defense held the conference-leading Big Blue offense to a .093 hitting percentage on the night while owning the kill count, 42-33, over the three sets.

An ace from Maddi Barickman gave North Central an early 4-3 lead in the opening set. The teams traded runs until kills from Abby Buban and Abbi Barickman opened an 8-3 rally to put the Cardinals in front, 17-13. Amber Vande Hei and Buban combined for a clutch block to keep the lead at four, 20-16. Three kills from A. Barickman down the stretch secured a 25-22 victory in set one.

The Big Blue jumped out to a 6-1 lead as a kill from A. Barickman halted the rally. Millikin kept their foot on the gas, taking an 11-4 advantage in the second set. The Cardinals fought their way back as kills from Vande Hei and Buban brought North Central within four, 14-10. Another kill from A. Barickman sparked a seven-point swing to give the Cardinals their first lead of set two, 17-16. Immediately following the 7-1 run was a 6-0 rally for North Central, capped off by back-to-back kills from Riley Clark. A. Barickman put the set away with an ace, giving the Cardinals a 25-19 comeback victory.

Looking to sweep the Big Blue for the first time since 2009, a kill from Lauren Benson kept the Cardinals within one, 8-7. Three straight kills from Clark capped off a 7-0 run for North Central, taking a 19-15 edge in set three. Millikin battled back within a point, but a kill from Vande Hei kept the momentum on the Cardinal side of the net. A block from Benson and A. Barickman locked up a 25-21 win for North Central, their first sweep of a top-10 team in program history.

Six Cardinals recorded a block on the night with Benson (5), M. Barickman (4) and Vande Hei (3) leading the way. A. Barickman led all players with 17 kills, with Clark also in double figures at 10. M. Barickman dished out 33 assists over the three sets while Bailey Houlihan racked up 23 digs. As a team, North Central hit .161 for the match.

With the win, the Cardinals secure their spot in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Tournament. With a win on Friday against Carroll University, the Cardinals would clinch a home match in the quarterfinals. That match is set for 7 p.m. inside Van Male Fieldhouse.

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